I need a smart outfit for ds - teen clothes are a nightmare!

[CeliaFate]

We've been invited to a meal at a hotel, smart dress code.
I have a pair of navy mole skin type trousers for ds (he's 11 but in age 15-16 clothes).
The problem I have is finding a shirt to suit him. He has a big tummy (we're working on that with healthy diet and exercise), but all the shirts he tries on either won't do up round the tummy or look like a tent.
It's odd because his school shirts fit beautifully and don't look out of proportion, but fashion shirts all look awful.
What could he wear that would go with navy trousers and fit a smart dress code?

Try mens extra small or small size shirts. My son, now 15 (but slim and only 5 foot 3) has been wearing mens t-shirts and shirts since earlier this year. It will make it easier to find something that is smart

Sorry, should add that if he's in 15-16 clothes then the small mens sizes should fit ds occasionally still has a teens 15-16 but more often than not, because it's so much easier with much more variety and easier to find, he's in mens x-small or small

Perhaps try getting a small size from somewhere like M & S mens dept. They are cut quite big round the middle rather than a fashion shirt which is generally more skimpily cut or slim fit.

Agree he needs a man's small shirt - perhaps a tie as well? How very smart does he need to be?

Thanks for the suggestions. I've had a look at men's shirts and will have to get over the fact that I can't kit him out for £20 like I used to!

It's a posh hotel lunch with elderly relatives, so he needs to be "wedding" smart I guess. He normally wears polo shirts or t-shirts, but everyone will be suited and booted so I want him to wear something smarter.

Is there a style of shirt that would suit him better? They only seem to be slim, regular or skinny, so obviously I'd go for regular but should I be looking for darts or a type of cut that would suit him?

I would actually let him wear a really nice polo shirt. It means he will wear it again if he likes wearing them.

Is he happy wearing a proper shirt?

He doesn't mind wearing a proper shirt, but he gets a bit down when he tries them on and he struggles to do them up over his tummy.

I'll have a look at polo shirts.

you could try George at Asda or the Tesco make, DH had to have a new shirt for a do and it seemed good quality, he got

direct.asda.com/george/mens-shirts/long-sleeve-regular-fit-formal-shirt/G003686233,default,pd.html

I imagine the other supermarket ones are similar

I think the problem is is most shirts are skinny fit now. Even my DS2 who is built like a bean pole has an issue with them and has to size up.

DS2 has this polo shirt which looks really smart on. Maybe something similar would be good.

A polo shirt or a jumper would be fine and he'd probably be more comfortable.

Somewhere like Next men's section may have some nice smart polos, DS who is tall and slim struggles to get anything from Next as it is quite large cut.

Celia, I think you're right to go with the polo shirt...at 11 years old, he is FARRRR to young (and could be potentially damaging) for him to be feeling bad about the way clothes fit him. He is also still a child, and he will be forgiven for not wearing shirt and tie. The old Nanas will just be thrilled to bits that he is there I bet!

the lad in this shirt looks nice...goes up to age 16

Could he wear a school shirt with a new tie and a cardigan? My ds loves dressing up for stuff (I know, he's strange in other ways too ) and many of his smart outfits include a cardigan.

A polo shirt with a cardigan can look the part and there are lots of nice coloured cords, chinos which will look better than jeans.

I would totally get something that can be worn again - boys were expensive when they start growing !

ok. i'm losing the plot! when I looked at the polo, there was a picture of a boy actually wearing it...he must have run away!

Another cardi fan then hakluyt sounds just like my son !

I think a polo shirt and cardigan is going to be more flattering to his shape and agree that the fuss and stress of finding a shirt could potentially be quite upsetting for him. He will wear them both again and I think it is more age-appropriate than shirt and tie which I personally think always looks a little odd on anyone younger than 13.

Would something like this? be ok?